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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2020)
THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY EDITION | AUG. 5, 2020 | $1.00 Community & Lifestyle ODFW R EGIONAL F ISHING R EPORT www.dfw.state.or.us/RR SIUSLAW RIVER: Cutthroat trout Fall Chinook Fall Chinook fishing opens on the Siuslaw River on Aug. 1. Fishing is typically slow during the beginning of August but usu- ally picks up by the end of the month. Anglers are reminded that due to low forecasted returns for the 2020 season bag limits have been reduced. The bag limit for the Siuslaw River is 1 wild Chinook per day and 1 per year for the 2020 season. Trout fishing opened in the Siuslaw basin (including Lake Creek) on May 22 and has great opportunities to catch a trout throughout the summer months. ALSEA RIVER: Fall Chinook, cutthroat trout Fall Chinook fishing opens on the Alsea River on Aug. 1. The beginning of August is typically slow on the Alsea River but things start to pick up at the end of the month. Anglers are reminded that due to low fore- casted returns for the 2020 sea- son bag limits have been reduced. The bag limit for the Alsea River is 1 wild Chinook per day and 5 per year for the 2020 season. See FISHING 2B Tide Tables Entrance Siuslaw River High Tide Low Tide Aug. 5 1:20am / 7.3 2:40pm / 6.2 8:12am / -1.0 8:16pm / 2.0 Aug. 6 2:01am / 7.0 3:13pm/ 6.2 A berry good time The first harvest of local blue berries has begun as warm weather ripens a delectable favorite near Florence PHOTOS BY LENA FELT/SIUSLAW NEWS Though July was officially National Blueberry Month, Mother Nature had other ideas, with ripe berries peaking over the next few weeks rather than in July. By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News C learlake Blueberry Farm is a small, fami- ly farm owned by Duane and Debbie Cray. The couple grows nine varieties of blueberries and opened their property to this year’s seasonal pickers this past weekend, with customers already in line when the gates opened at 9:30 a.m. — some specifically timing their visit to the area coincide with the farm’s opening day. This is the fourth season the Crays have owned the Clearwater Blueberry Farm, having moved here in 2016, and the delicious fruit pro- duced on the property has drawn customers from around Oregon and the Northwest. The story of how the Crays ended up in this part of the country is a familiar one to many here: They initially came for a visit, really liked the people and the land, and A visitor to Clearlake Blueberry Farm picks fresh berries during Saturday’s opening run. decided to make it their home. They looked at properties and the last placed they looked at was the Clearlake Farm. The cou-ple made a quick decision and became the farm’s latest owners. Duane had retired from Shell Oil Company after 36 years, with he and Debbie settling here never having run a business of this type — but discovered they liked the work that goes into growing crops for sale. Over the past few years they have worked to improve the number of varieties and increase the harvest of the plants under their care. Though National Blueberry Month was in July, the calendar doesn’t deter- mine when the fruit in this area becomes ripe. During the month of July, the berries at Clearlake were still green. “The season is starting a little later this year, there hasn’t been as much rain and it looks like the first few weeks of August will be our peak this year,” Debbie said during a Saturday run- through for the season. The Crays don’t use pesticides and also are tolerant of the birds and bugs that eat at their farm. The land at Clearlake Farm is naturally sheltered by a sloping hill and the nearly 600 blueberry bushes under cultivation have started to turn the perfect shade of blue. The Crays are not ag-gressive in deterring pests and the idea of a more inte- grated way of approaching business is evident. “The birds have already had theirs,” Duane said with a chuckle.” I think they left See BERRIES 2B 8:46am/ -0.6 8:58pm/ 1.9 Oregon Emergency Management suggests residents prepare a ‘2 Weeks Ready’ kit Aug. 7 2:42am / 6.5 3:45pm / 6.2 9:20am / -0.1 9:41pm / 1.8 Aug. 8 3:24am / 6.0 4:18pm/ 6.2 9:52am/ 0.5 10:28pm/ 1.8 Aug. 9 4:10am / 5.5 5:31pm / 6.2 10:26am / 1.2 Aug. 10 5:03am / 5.0 2:06pm / 6.2 11:02am / 1.7 7:34pm / 2.1 Aug. 11 6:09am / 4.6 6:14pm / 6.2 12:17am / 1.6 11:43pm / 2.4 The heat of summer is here across the state, and with ex- treme temperatures and dry conditions comes increased risks. Oregon’s Office of Emer- gency Management (OOEM) offers a few simple tips to help Oregonians keep cool, stay safe and prevent wildfires as we all navigate the continued impacts of COVID-19. Staying home to prevent the spread of COVID? Keep win- dows and blinds closed to stay cool indoors and make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you need to be out- doors, stay close to home, bring a water bottle with you and limit activity to early in the day or lat- er in the evening when tempera- tures are cooler. Heading out to cool off in the water? Plan ahead, know the risks and don’t forget those life jackets. Be sure to wear face coverings when you cannot maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. Switch to a cotton ban- dana or scarf if your normal face covering is too heavy or thick to wear in the heat. Check on family members and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone or who may need special assis- tance. Remember, you can visit in person as long as you stay at least six feet away, but a call, text or video-chat works as well and reduces the risk of COVID ex- posure. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help prevent human-caused wildfires. Know your local fire restrictions and always pack a water source and a shovel. If you make a campfire, be sure it’s COURTESY PHOTO The Oregon Office of Emergency Managament encourages in dividuals to be prepared with a ‘2 Weeks Ready’ kit. dead out before leaving. To learn when you are out and about, about restrictions and wildfire activities at home, at work and See READY 2B 88522 SYLVIA LANE • NEW LISTING! Listen to the ocean from this Heceta Beach area home. The main floor includes 2 bedrooms & 2 baths with 2 dining areas. Nicely updated kitchen with propane stove and large butcher block is- land. Loft area has built-in bookshelves, with office area. 3 car garage, 2 car facing straight with left l side extra 1 car garage. Decks on both sides give ample outside living. $495,000 CCB#12040 MLS#20576057 Lynnette Wikstrom Broker 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR • 541.997.7777 “We’re next to the Bridge.” lynnette@cbcoast.com · Cell: 541.999.0786 COAST REAL ESTATE